Beata Banaszewska, MD, PhD, of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland, and colleagues conducted a prospective, crossover study on 48 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) [1], which showed that the addition of simvastatin to oral contraceptive pill (OCP) decreases total and free testosterone level, hirsutism, luteinizing hormone level, and luteinizing hormone:follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, but has no significant effect on follicle-stimulating hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), prolactin, glucose measures, and insulin measures. It also significantly decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, prevented triglyceride increase associated with OCP use, and decreased markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial activation. It did not have any effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level though.
This study offers new hope to approximately one in ten women who are affeced by PCOS, possibly helping to alleviate hirsutism, acne, improving fertility and reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, insulin resistance/type II diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (disorders of lipid metabolism — cholesterol and triglycerides), cardiovascular diseases, strokes, weight gain and miscarriage.
Source: Simvastatin May Help Ameliorate Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Medscape) [2]
Links:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_ovary_syndrome
[2] http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/548269